Buying Banned DJI Cameras on the Open Market

The units currently circulating in the U.S. arrive via cross-border logistics firms that ship from domestic fulfillment centers, effectively bypassing the FCC’s efforts to ground the devices. Although the FCC revoked the certification for these specific models in December 2025 using rule 47 CFR 2.962(f), the agency lacks the oversight to prevent third-party vendors from moving existing stock. My own purchase—a Pocket 4 Pro acquired for $659.28—shipped from an Oregon facility, arriving with Chinese-language menus and an absence of the required FCC ID on the device's regulatory screen.

DJI maintains that it is not involved in these transactions, stating that it has complied with the federal determination and does not officially distribute the cameras within the U.S. market. The reality, however, highlights a persistent gap in enforcement. While the government classifies these devices as security risks under broad bans targeting foreign video surveillance equipment, the ease of access suggests that the regulatory dragnet is failing to curb the actual availability of the hardware. As companies like Zero Zero Robotics navigate these same waters with new, hybrid drone-camera products, the effectiveness of the current ban remains largely theoretical.